THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002
ENTERTAINMENT
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 5B
Summers in the sun can be fun while abroad
By Meghan Brune Jayplay writer
As finals week approaches, the only thing sustaining some students' sanity is the thought of summer days relaxing by the neighborhood pool. But 450 students at the University of Kansas are completing plans as an alternative to the "regular" summer experience.
The Office of Study Abroad has 29 summer programs, from Poland and Spain to Morocco and Greece, which vary in location, length, intensity and focus. Thirteen of the programs study languages, while the remaining programs are majorrelated.
Sarah Korbecki, St. Louis, Mo., sophomore, said she was participating in an architecture trip to Spannocchia and Venice, Italy. The program will be taught in English and will provide students with nine credit hours earned from hands-on building experience and studio work, she said.
"Right now in Architectural
History we are looking at slides of churches in Italy and it is exciting to think about going to see the actual buildings," Korbecki said.
More programs taught overseas in English by KU professors are offered in the summer during the school year.
Susan MacNally, assistant director of the office, said these variations were a benefit of the summer program and appeal to many students.
"Some students don't feel they have room in their major to be away for a semester away and some are not ready for that much time away." MacNally said.
The office offers short-term programs lasting around two weeks in addition to those lasting one to two months.
At the study abroad orientation on May 4, directors will stress safety concerns, especially regarding American travelers in the current world situation.
"We tell students to try to blend in," MacNally said. "When you are a foreigner, you need to be aware that people are looking at you because you are different."
Language barriers are another concern, but not a reason to avoid a study abroad program. Summer language programs are open to students with previous language study and to beginners.
"I went on the program with two years of Italian, but had no idea how much work it would take to conduct everyday life in a different language," Chris Suenram, Lee Summit, Mo., senior said.
Suenram, an Italian major, participated in the Florence Summer Language Institute, in which participants can earn six to 10 hours of credit while studying at an Italian university.
The biggest problem for past participants was having to come home at the end of the summer. MacNally said.
"The students are challenging themselves and taking a risk," MacNally said. "It is exciting for us to help them in these steps."
Contact Brune at mbrune@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Warren.
Contact Brune at
Sony readies strong lineup
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Sony Pictures is spinning a commanding box-office web this summer with a lineup anchored by Spider-Man and sequels to Men in Black and Stuart Little.
Beyond those three franchise films, the movie studio has Adam Sandler in Mr. Deeds, a remake of the Frank Capra classic Mr. Deeds Goes to Town; the Dana Carvey comedy The Master of Disguise; the Jennifer Lopez thriller Enough; and the extreme-sports spy caper XXX.
"I've never seen such a strong
slate from any one studio in any given summer," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc., which tracks the movie box office. "Everything came together for them this summer."
It even surpasses Sony's 1997 summer schedule, when Men in Black, Air Force One and My Best Friend's Wedding propelled the studio to a record box-office haul of $1.26 billion domestically for the entire year.
The studio already is moving ahead with a sequel.
Sony is virtually assured of a blockbuster with Spider-Man, one of the most anticipated comic-book adaptations ever.
Once viewed as quick-cash knockoffs, sequels are often treated more tenderly today, with studios hoping reunions of the original creative teams can produce new installments that match or exceed the revenues of the originals.
"People have recognized the value of sequels commercially for a long time," director Rob Minkoff said. "It's not just taking the title and making another movie, anymore. It's about making another good movie."
Batman flies to TV Land for marathon
Holy nostalgic comeback, Batman.
The Associated Press
The Caped Crusader has been in movies, animated cartoons and, of course, comic books. But for many fans, the best Batman of all cavorted in the POW! SPLAT! television version that premiered in 1966 with Adam West in the starring role. Now this "Batman" is fighting crime on TV Land.
Nick at Nite kicks off with four "Batman" episodes Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT. Then Monday, the show moves to TV Land for a five-night marathon, 8 to 10 p.m. Starting May 6, "Batman" begins its regular run, airing two episodes each Monday through Friday from 7 to 8 p.m.
Other shows to watch, or watch out for:
Holv complicated, Batman!
Ted Danson stars as the famed medium James Van Praagh in "Living with the Dead," a CBS miniseries about a man who comes to terms with his ability to speak to the dead and then helps solve a series of murders by communicating with the victims on the other side. It airs Sunday and Tuesday at 9 p.m.
Before Sept. 11, the World Trade Center stood as twin steel behemoths that had their own ZIP code. So how, in the space of one terrible morning, could they have been reduced to 150 feet of dust and rubble? The PBS series "NOVA" gives viewers an exclusive look at the American Society of Civil Engineers' report into the root causes of their collapse by following a team of structural and fire engineers conducting a study its devastation. "Why the Towers Fell" airs Tuesday at 8 p.m.
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You are invited to a Special Screening of WINDTALKERS
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Woodruff Auditorium
Students may pick up passer in the SUA Box Office, level 4 of the Kansas Union, day of show, beginning at 8:30 am. Admission is free Please arrive early Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis with pass holders admitted h
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